Back To School Lyrics - Harper Valley P.t.a. (the Plantation Recordings 1968-70) - Jeannie C. Riley

Wintertime comes early to the north part of this state 

I walk along the river where we used to come and skate 

The trees're now all gone and by the river there's a sign 

Trespassin' is a twenty dollar fine 

Lookin' up the road toward the schoolhouse on the hill 

That thing about an empty building causes me to chill 

My memory goes back to when the teacher rang the bell 

The day she sent you home for saying hell 

Walkin' past the building so important in my past 

The road is full of ol' discarded bottles and some trash 

I step behind the building as I shelter from the cold 

I see our names in letters big and bold 

My fingers trace the letters of a work of art alone 

And I recall the day that you carved it in a stone 

Somehow I can see you now with books and coat in hand 

You always waved as down the hill you ran 

Cokes were just a nickel then and many were the times 

The two of us would sip them as if they were village wine 

And then on Graduation Day we bought the little ring 

And said that carats didn't mean a thing 

Now I retrace my footsteps to the cab that waits for me 

Looking back to see our names you carved upon a tree 

The driver says I look familiar asks me what's my name 

I say hurry I have to catch a plane